Nyetimber’s marketing head joins Gusbourne Estate

The head of Nyetimber’s marketing and communications department has been appointed to the same role at fellow English sparkling wine house, Gusbourne Estate.

Christian Holthausen will take up the post with immediate effect with responsibility for the brand’s marketing and communications department.

Prior to his time at Nyetimeber, where he has worked for the last 18 months, Holthausen, a dual citizen of France and the United States, spent seven years as the international house communications director for Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck, based between Paris and Reims, and previously managed the American affairs of those two Houses from Rémy Cointreau USA in New York for five years.

He began his career in the wine industry at Veuve Clicquot after completing his studies at New York’s Vassar College and Paris IV La Sorbonne in 1998.

Andrew Weeber, founder and chairman of Gusbourne Estate: “We are delighted to have Christian on board as he already shares our passion to create the best wines in this country, ones which can be compared with the greatest sparkling wines in the world.

“Christian will be working very closely with both CEO Ben Walgate and myself to continue to develop Gusbourne Estate’s domestic and international reputation.”

Christian Holthausen said: “The opportunity to join England’s most prestigious boutique wine producer is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to working closely with the team.”

Gusbourne Estate dates back to at least 1410 when John de Gosborne’s will was filed. Subsequently, the estate passed to Philip Chute, who won fame as the standard bearer to Henry VIII’s men at arms in 1544.

‘Goosborne’ as it was then known, carried the crest of three geese, which can now be found in Appledore parish church and also on every bottle of Gusbourne Estate wine.

The estate’s first wines were released in 2010 made from 100% estate-owned grapes.